Anti-condensation assembly

Abstract

A window operable to separate an interior from an exterior is disclosed. The window comprises a pressure pane and an anti-condensation assembly. The anti-condensation assembly is disposed in an interior direction relative the pressure pane. Further, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a substantially transparent substrate disposed in a spaced apart relationship relative the pressure pane. Additionally, the anti-condensation assembly comprises a resistively heatable layer associated with the first substrate. The resistively heatable layer is operable to generate heat when an electrical current is applied thereto. Accordingly, application of power to the resistively heatable layer may serve to reduce or eliminate the presence of visible condensation in the window.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A window assembly comprising:
 a variably transmissive electro-optic element; and 
 an anti-condensation assembly comprising:
 a first seal disposed in a peripheral and spaced manner relative to the variably transmissive electro-optic element, the first seal defining, at least in part, a first chamber and operable to restrict air and moisture from freely entering the first chamber, and 
 a resistively heatable layer located in the exterior direction with respect to the variably transmissive electro-optic element and an interior direction with respect to the first seal, the resistively heatable layer operable to dissipate thermal energy when an electrical current is applied. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The window assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the variably transmissive electro-optic element comprises:
 a substantially transparent exterior EO substrate and a substantially transparent interior EO substrate, the interior EO substrate disposed in the interior direction and in a spaced apart relationship relative the exterior EO substrate; 
 an electro-optic medium disposed between the exterior EO substrate and the interior EO substrate; and 
 wherein the resistively heatable layer is coupled to the exterior EO substrate. 
 
     
     
       3. The window assembly of  claim 2 , further including a hydrophilic layer coupled to the interior EO substrate. 
     
     
       4. The window assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the resistively heatable layer is located on an ACA substrate. 
     
     
       5. The window assembly of  claim 4 , further including a pressure pane on an exterior direction with respect to the variably transmissive electro-optic element, the first seal located between the ACA substrate and the pressure pane defining the first chamber. 
     
     
       6. The window assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first chamber is defined by a distance between the ACA substrate and the pressure pane, the distance being equal to or less than 10 mm. 
     
     
       7. The window assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the resistively heatable layer is located on an exterior surface of the exterior EO substrate. 
     
     
       8. The window assembly of  claim 2 , further including a high emissivity surface located on the ACA substrate. 
     
     
       9. The window assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the high emissivity surface includes an NIR reflective film. 
     
     
       10. The window assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the resistively heatable layer is located between the ACA substrate and the variably transmissive electro-optic element. 
     
     
       11. The window assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the resistively heatable layer is located on an interior surface of the ACA substrate. 
     
     
       12. The window assembly of  claim 2 , further including a hydrophilic layer coupled to an interior surface of the interior EO substrate. 
     
     
       13. The window assembly of  claim 1 , further including a dust cover located in the interior direction with respect to the variably transmissive electro-optic element. 
     
     
       14. A window assembly comprising:
 a substantially transparent pressure pane having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface disposed in an exterior direction relative the second surface; 
 a variably transmissive electro-optic element disposed in an interior direction relative the pressure pane; 
 a dust cover located in the interior direction with respect to the variably transmissive electro-optic element; 
 a resistively heatable layer located in the exterior direction with respect to the dust cover, the resistively heatable layer operable to dissipate thermal energy when an electrical current is applied; and 
 a substantially transparent first substrate having a third surface and a fourth surface, the third surface disposed in the exterior direction relative the fourth surface, the first substrate disposed in a spaced apart relationship with the pressure pane and located in the exterior direction with respect to the variably transmissive electro-optic element. 
 
     
     
       15. The window assembly of  claim 14 , further including a first seal disposed in a peripheral manner between the pressure pane and the first substrate, the first seal defining, at least in part, a first chamber and operable to restrict air and moisture from freely entering the first chamber. 
     
     
       16. The window assembly of  claim 15 , further including a second chamber disposed between the variably transmissive electro-optic element and the dust cover. 
     
     
       17. The window assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the first chamber is defined by a distance between the first substrate and the pressure, the distance being equal to or less than 20 mm. 
     
     
       18. The window assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the distance is equal to or less than 8 mm. 
     
     
       19. The window assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the resistively heatable layer is located between the first substrate and the variably transmissive electro-optic element. 
     
     
       20. A window assembly comprising:
 a variably transmissive electro-optic element; 
 a dust cover located in an interior direction with respect to the variably transmissive electro-optic element; 
 a pressure pane located in an exterior direction with respect to the variably transmissive electro-optic element and 
 an anti-condensation assembly comprising:
 a resistively heatable layer located in the exterior direction with respect to the dust cover and the variably transmissive electro-optic element, the resistively heatable layer operable to dissipate thermal energy when an electrical current is applied; and 
 a first chamber located in an exterior direction of the variably transmissive electro-optic element and operable to restrict air and moisture from freely entering the first chamber, the first chamber extending a distance between the interior and exterior directions a distance being equal to or less than 15 mm.